Pet Weight Loss Tips: How To Healthfully Help Your Pets Shed Extra Pounds
Obesity in pets is a growing problem that can lead to serious health issues such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. If your furry friend has packed on some extra pounds, there are pet weight loss tips you can deploy at home to support your pet’s weight loss journey.
Pet Weight Loss Tips: Gradually Increase Your Pet’s Activity & Exercise
Regular exercise is critical to weight loss, but a sudden burst of activity can be overwhelming or even harmful for pets who’ve been sedentary. The rule of thumb on this is to start small, and gradually increase exercise over time. Here are 3 ways to start increasing your pet’s activity levels to burn more calories:
- Short walks or low-impact play: Begin with 10- to 15-minute walks for dogs, or gentle indoor play for cats.
- Interactive toys: Encourage your cat to chase laser pointers or feather wands, or invest in food-dispensing toys for feeding time that promote movement.
- Gradual increases in activity: As your pet builds stamina, increase the intensity or duration of their exercise.
Pet Weight Loss Tips: Monitor and Adjust Treats
While treats can be an important training tool, they’re also a major contributor to weight gain. Manage treats more effectively by:
- Cutting treats in half: Your pet will still feel rewarded but will get fewer calories.
- Choosing healthy treats: Replace high-calorie snacks with alternatives like carrot sticks, green beans, or store-bought, low-calorie treats.
- Limiting or eliminating the feeding of human food: We’ve all had big brown eyes staring at us while we eat. While it’s tempting to indulge your pets with table scraps, human food often is too calorie-dense and it’s not nutritionally balanced for pets.
Pet Weight Loss Tips: Express Love Without Food
Food is often tied to affection, but there are other ways to bond with your pet:
- Engage in playtime: Toss a ball, play tug-of-war, or explore a new park together.
- Grooming sessions: Brushing or massaging your pet can strengthen your bond while keeping their coat healthy.
- Verbal praise and physical touch: A warm tone and plenty of pets or belly rubs can be just as rewarding as a treat.
Pet Weight Loss Tips: Partner with Your Veterinarian
Weight loss is a team effort. When you work with a veterinarian on pet weight loss strategies, you help ensure that the weight loss will be done in a healthful manner. Veterinarians will have specific suggestions on the speed and approach you take for pet weight loss. In addition, your veterinarian will have multiple ideas for pet weight loss that you may not have considered or know about. During a pet weight loss assessment, your veterinarian can:
- Rule out underlying conditions: Some pets struggle to lose weight due to issues like hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease.
- Develop personalized nutrition plans: Veterinarians can recommend prescription weight-loss diets or adjust your pet’s current feeding schedule.
- Provide rehabilitation exercises: Low-impact activities like water treadmill therapy may help pets with limited mobility burn calories safely.
Pet Weight Loss Tips: A Healthy Future Starts The Day You Embark On A Pet Weight Loss Program
Helping your pet lose weight can improve their quality of life, reduce their risk of serious health issues, and extend their lifespan. To get started, schedule a consultation with Shuler Veterinary Clinic. Together, we’ll create a customized plan to keep your furry friend fit and thriving. Call (843) 884-4494 to book your appointment now!
Shuler Veterinary Clinic in Mount Pleasant SC is part of a locally owned, family-owned network of animal hospitals known as Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry. Our network of hospitals includes:
- Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital: South, At Coleman Blvd and Old Village
- Shuler Veterinary Clinic: Central, At Town Center
- Safe Harbor Animal Hospital: North, At North MP and Hwy 41
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